A Mild and Selective Method for the Hydrolysis of Esters with Trimethyltin Hydroxide

Mild, selective, and efficient: A new method that involves the use of trimethyltin hydroxide for the hydrolysis of specific ester groups allows chemists to steer clear of unwanted elimination reactions and epimerizations. For example, the conversion of ester 1 into carboxylic acid 2 takes place under mild conditions, with nearly complete retention of stereochemical integrity. 1,2-DCE=1,2-dichloroethane.